Ethan's December Challenge

One other thing I forgot that you can do if your coal is not building is to try an upside down V as the notch in the hearth board and have it go to about the center of the hole.
 
Guyon said:
Widerstand and Flexxx, you guys rocked it out. Nice job. :thumbup:
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Thanks.

One of my biggest issues for me was getting the board to stay still while drilling, I used spit for lube on the bearing board.
Gotta keep the board still to get the dust to set-up into a coal, at first I was shaking from the damn cold but warmed up quick while using the bow.

I really got lucky, I didn't think I was going to get it.

As for the wood, I think I used box elder and juniper but I'm not for sure it might have been oak....:confused:
 
Here is my entry, I have many pics in complete detail but seeing how we're limited to 10 pics here are the pics I thought were imperative to show.

First the sacrifice of a Cedar tree, and shrub delimbed.
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I used my BK2 and scribed a line around the bow (before I realized I had a smaller bk knife, the remora) I also made 3 ancient symbols for fire (I have closer pics of these, not shown)
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I split the end of the bow to insert paracord, I also made a notch to wrap paracord under insert to keep in place and not allow cord to split bow further.
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Here is a notch to hold cord where I simply made a slip knot. this will help to easily disassemble cord for load out..
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Here is my completed kit with a little tinder made from cedar bark that I will later add with dried grasses.
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A close up of the burn-in process, I used ALL green Cedar that I cut down see how the friction will crack out even green wood.. that's hot..
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Close up of the burn in, I adjusted my spindle after first notch this will be the notch I use to get coal as its a perfect fit.
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A pic to show placement of the kit in action.
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Here is a pic of coal place in tinder before oxygenation;)
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Here is a pic of the dead grasses I chose as a nest. FIRE!!
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This is my first primitive fire!! Big thanks to the Becker Family for the encouragement to get out there and try again..:thumbup: I've got an old kit I've made before and have given up on bow/drill because I always just got smoke, never coal.. But this is proof that you can fell a tree and get a fire, you don't need the wood to be dry, friction takes care of that.. I took my time making the bow and it is extremely comfortable for me, I etched, stained, and lacquered it..I intend to take this kit out for an overnight trip and will be my only means of fire..

Thanks again for the opportunity, its been a very humbling and enlightening experience to say the least, I finally got coal!!:D

Kudo's to everyone that was able to get out there and have a stab at it we all learn from each others trial and error, such is life.. :)

Happy New Year !!!!!
 
if i wasn't getting over a cold (mini-flu?) i'd be out at a party tonite, and probably would, for the masses, demonstrate this skill to get the old ritual fire going :) heh.

fire piston though is my favorite way. just so cool!

good job guys. you've just under 8 hours left before it's not December anymore ;) nothing like last minute fires.
 
Okay, in from JawJaa at the last minute courtesy of my iPhone and the Photobucket app. Turns out my brother-in-law has a big wooded area out back of his new place, and a walk this afternoon turned up a small downed red cedar next to a trail that had been cleared. My BK-10 Crewman was in the trunk of the car, so it was on like Donkey Kong.

Lessons learned...
  • Smaller is better. I went too big on the components on the first go. I had a lot more control this time.
  • A rounded bearing block (essentially a split chunk of limb) is easier on the hand.
  • Long strokes on the bow don't wear you out as fast.
  • You want some bend in your bow. My first two iterations were too straight.
One more note. For any folks thinking about making the requirements for Beckerhead, just do it. If this Beckerhead forum knife pans out and Tooj does something with those Crewman blanks for us, you'll be counting your lucky stars. It's a most handy design.

Honestly, the other guys deserve the big prizes here, but my two-time, two-state effort, plus the fact that I typed all this on an iPhone, ought to at least get me the "Never Say Die" Award and maybe a Ka-Bar t-shirt. :D

From here, the pics...

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AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEVER SAY DIE AWARD WINNER!!!

Moose
 
good show Guyon.. most excellent !!

my rule of thumb is just that.. the things I keep as measuring devices in the bush.. ME>>>

the way I learned it (although I knew, still never got coal;)

1) your bow should be no longer then your arm.
2) spindle should be as long as your thumb to your pinky (think 'hang loose sign')
3) spindle thumb width..

just reference tools is all, suit to need..
 
Guyon said:
Cool. #009 and I'm on it, or *ahem* "I take the challenge."

I've been wanting to make a primitive fire kit for a while anyway.

ETA: I may "GO BIG" like this guy did... :D

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Hey wait a minute, I thought you were going big like this one.

Excellent job....:thumbup:
 
So is there a date when the winner will be announced? Also is there going to be a new Challenge for this month?
 
Awesome jobs guys!! My last two weeks have been crazy hectic trying to meet deadlines, dealing with crazy weather, and dealing with the holidays. I was in the middle of a somewhat ornate two stick board but just didn't have the time to get back to it...
 
Awesome job everyone! I totally meant to get in on this and give it a try, but I didn't! Instead spent most of this month trying to get gear I needed and building various stoves. Maybe next time.

All youse guys did a great job though, and it gives me hope that I can manage to do so as well.
 
DerekH, your comment made me think we need an alcohol stove challenge soon. Just bought a GI canteen cup stove. It would be cool to have a good excuse to build a soda-can/alcohol stove to go under it.
 
i'm going to say on behalf of the M00sey one, that the contest is PROBABLY over now, just in case any of you all like get uppity and throw one late minute ploy in ;>

so, good job guys :)
 
Yep contest closed, Ethan will be judging the entries, and determining the winner.

We will have a January contest, but Ethan will be deciding what it will be, and it will run for a full month, so, I we start it on the 5th, then it will run to the 5th, no worries.

Good job guys, good contest, and good luck on the next one.

Moose
 
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